Environmental engineers: Creating for greener, healthier living

Although officially listed under the new "green jobs" umbrella, environmental engineering is nothing new.

A traditional sub-discipline of civil engineering (originally defined as support of civilian, versus military, infrastructure), environmental engineers work for corporations, utilities, consulting firms and large municipalities. They plan and design water filtration plants, wastewater systems and solid waste disposal systems. They also work with hazardous material analysis and remediation. Some sell equipment used in these industries.
"It's traditional engineering," said Ron Harris, president of Birmingham's Krebs Architecture and Engineering. Environmental engineers may work, he said, with other subspecialists, ranging from electrical to geotechnical engineers, to build a treatment plant, for example, and to be sure the plant complies with state and federal environmental standards.
"One difference between environmental engineers and scientists is that engineers often attempt to modify, or 'engineer' the environment as opposed to observing and understanding the environment," said Mark Barnett, Ph.D., the Malcolm Pirnie associate professor of environmental engineering for Auburn University's Samuel Ginn College of Engineering.
"For example, geologists might identify a usable source of groundwater, while environmental engineers would determine how to treat and pump the groundwater to residents."
Hydrology is a branch of civil engineering closely related to environmental engineering, said Barnett. The fields are often combined and called "Environmental and Water Resources Engineering."
Like other engineers, these specialists tend to excel in science and math. Hiring managers expect these professionals to have good communication skills and be willing to work inside and outside, employing keen construction and design interests.
The U.S. Department of Labor expects environmental engineering to be the fastest-growing engineering discipline through 2016, with 25 percent more specialists needed than in the previous decade.
"I think it is a growing field," said Harris, citing population growth requiring more water and waste systems. The federal government's study also suggests demand for this specialty will be fueled by the public's shifting expectations toward preventing environmental problems rather than solving existing ones.
"Green or sustainable engineering is an emerging field, and the U.S. is lagging behind other western countries in this area," said Barnett. "There are many definitions of sustainability, but my simple definition is living within your means."
Barnett cited the example of some cities, such as Atlanta, using water faster than the rate at which it can be replenished. Environmental engineers are increasingly charged with the task of assessing natural resource limits and helping communities live within them.
Bachelor-degreed civil engineers with an emphasis on environmental engineering can expect starting salaries at $45,000 to $50,000. Although Harris said master degrees are not typically required for new hires, those with secondary degrees could expect an average $50,000 to start.
Barnett said environmental salaries may not be as high as some other disciplines, with governmental employment lowering averages. However, he said many specialists choose the field because of the job satisfaction from their roles in protecting human health and environment.